In order to weather the recent economic climate, General Motors has been forced to make extensive changes to its brand lineup. Early on, it was finalized that the Saturn and Pontiac makes would be discontinued. Later, the increasingly unprofitable Hummer brand was sold to the Sichuan Tengzhong Industrial Machinery Company. As for Saab, its fate would be much more complicated.

First, a little history. The Saab automotive group was formed in the 1944. It provided a way for the Swedish airplane manufacturer to expand the company after World War II. Saab autoworks quickly grew by emphasizing their quality design based on previous aeronautic endeavors. Saab cars were reputable for aerodynamics and safety at a time when most automakers' focuses were directed elsewhere. For almost 30 years the brand became increasingly popular, acquiring the Scania truck brand in 1969.

Through the following years, Saab became the car of young professionals everywhere. The Saab 99 introduced the characteristic hatchback configuration, becoming one of the company's trademarks. The 99 added turbocharging to the option list in 1978. Both the motorsport proven turbo and trendy combi coupe styling allowed yuppies all the European class they needed at a reasonable price. Towards the end of Saab's independent leadership however, previously successful designs stagnated and profits declined.

General Motors did not come into the picture until 1989. For 600 million dollars, GM procured 50% of the Saab automotive division with the option to buy it completely in ten years. The 900 model was remodeled in 1993. It was the first Saab to be completely redesigned under GM and shared its platform with the Opel Vectra. 1994 marked the first profitable model year for the Saab brand in seven years.

The 1990s brought forth a veritable revival for the Saab brand. Under GM management, several profitable models made their debut. The 9-5 replaced the 9000, being introduced in 1997. It marked the first four-door sedan for Saab. In 1998, the 900 was redesigned once more and designated the 9-3. Either car was eventually made available as a 4-door wagon and the 9-3 had a cabriolet body style. All Saab models were still built in the original Saab factory in Trollhattan, Sweden with some various satellite production facilities in Austria and Finland.

GM gained total ownership of Saab in 2000, following the terms of the original agreement made in the late 80s. This marked the beginning of the end for the match made on paper. Once again, success brought inactivity within the brand. Designs changed very little or were replaced with duller versions of their former selves. The brand-new models that did debut were either premium sport editions or victims of GM's deadly rebranding. The company lost its soul and consumers responded accordingly.

Some new Saab models were exceptionally exciting, but were either too expensive or too limited in production to become the same kind of sales success experienced in the past. New for 2004, GM utilized their partnership with Subaru for the 9-2x based on their Impreza wagon. The car was essentially a dressier version of the Subaru, becoming the first all wheel drive Saab. It featured the same boxer engine and drivetrain components, but with a luxury interior and miniscule features. Unfortunately, the wagon came with a price to match its premium style. As such, the Saabaru derivative was unable to reach the youth market while the successful, aging yuppies had moved on to better luxury cars that weren't tuner impersonators.

Another new Saab model to miss its mark was the 9-7x. This unfortunate Trailblazer clone marked Saab's foray into the SUV market. It could be argued that this was also the first completely American Saab, being the only one actually built stateside. The 9-7x wasn't entirely bad though, as it was a considerable upgrade from the Trailblazer snooze-mobile. It featured an advanced all wheel drive system, deluxe interior and improved sheet metal. However this vehicle was doomed from the start. At its introduction in 2005, Americans weren't looking for a hip, new SUV. Besides, the public had enough Trailblazers and Envoys to make up for its pitiful sales. This model lasted four miserable years and was the final straw for a GM-owned Saab.

As of late 2008, General Motors announced the Saab brand was under review. That was enough for most to understand that the automaker may not be much longer for this world. The company filed for reorganization in early 2009 after experiencing problems with the supplier base. Saab prepared itself for outside investment with help from the Swedish government.

By the middle of the year, Koenigsegg, a Swedish exotic limited production auto manufacturer, was ready to purchase. For several months GM deliberated with the company, but they were unable to compromise. Third party shareholders such as Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Company aided the transition, but Koenigsegg ultimately backed out in November 2009. Several deadlines weren't met and the exotic manufacturer did not want to pursue the deal after experiencing so much uncertainty. However, Beijing Automotive Holding went through with a deal to buy some intellectual rights to technology under the Saab division for 200 million dollars.

Hope for the Saab brand decreased day by day. It was assumed that GM would have to dissolve another historic make. It was announced in December that bids would be open for one more month and afterwards, it was lights. A grassroots movement started up. Saab fans and loyalists organized rallies, sold t-shirts, even wrote songs in Swedish urging for a savior to rescue Saab from the sinking ship. One of the more publicised rallies brought nearly 50 proud owners from around the US to GM Headquarters in Detroit to show their support. It was a heartwarming display, but it would take more than unbridled enthusiasm to help their cause.

After the Koenigsegg deal fell through, revised bids from Dutch exotic automaker Spyker and an investment-firm, Genii Capital, made it to GM before the end of the year. By January 23rd, it was revealed that Spyker and GM had come to an agreement and the deal was finalized three days later. For 400 million dollars, Saab will become part of the new Saab Spyker automobile brand. Sources are speculative as to whether the rather small exotic manufacturer has the resources to fit the multi-million dollar bill for Saab. Spyker reassures that pending the endorsement from several investment agencies, the company will undoubtedly have enough to buy the company, as well as to bring it back to profitability.

It is comforting to see a company like Saab live on to create the quirky Swedish cars we have come to love. I can only hope the brand gets back to its original, unique style under new European management. Several new interesting models lie on the horizon. Recent Saab concepts are being reviewed and from what we've seen from Spyker in the past, the future is sure to be even more exciting.